No. 14 USC Women's Soccer Bests Cal State Fullerton, 2-1, in Exhibition Play

LOS ANGELES – The No. 14 USC women's soccer team opened preseason play with an exhibition match against Cal State Fullerton on Thursday afternoon at McAlister Field, beating the Titans 2-1 in the tune-up contest.
 
The teams played three 30 minute periods and saw almost every available player get time on the pitch in what was a hard-fought scrimmage on both sides. The contest is the lone exhibition this season for USC, which begins regular-season play at home on Aug. 19 against Pepperdine.
 
The Trojans struck first, getting a goal from Zoe Burns in the 49th minute. The visiting Titans equalized in the 64th minute when Kaytlin Brinkman found the back of the net in the midst of a scrum in front of the Trojan goal.
 
Late in the game, USC was able to take back the advantage when Julia Gomez was taken down in the box and the Trojans were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute. Madeline Vergura converted the try to seal the 2-1 win.
 
USC used 22 players in the match, including three goalkeepers and nine different players who have yet to register a regular-season minute for the Trojans. Cal State Fullerton used 26 players in the contest.
 
Each Trojan goalkeeper played a 30 minute period, with Anna Smith making the only save she needed to and Reezyn Turk making a pair of saves. Emily Rhinehart got the start and did not face a shot on goal. USC outshot the Titans 18-7 in the game and 11-0 through the first 45 minutes of play.
 
GOALS
49' – USC: Zoe Burns (assisted by Savannah DeMelo) – DeMelo found Burns near the center of the penalty area and Burns hit one in to the right of the Fullerton keeper.
 
64' – CSF: Kaytlin Brinkman (assisted by Haley Brown) – The ball found its way to a scrum in front of the USC net and Brown poked it out to Brinkman near the right post, and Brinkman knocked it in off USC goalkeeper Turk.
 
88' – USC: Madeline Vergura (PK) – Julia Gomez was taken down in the box and Vergura converted the penalty kick.
 
UP NEXT
The Trojans open the regular season at home on Thursday, Aug. 19 against Pepperdine. That game will be at 3 p.m. and will be streamed live on Pac-12+ via USCTrojans.com.
 
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